The Problem Is, My Ex-Boyfriend and I Are Both Dating Other People - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 19

I’ll kill you.
Daimon spoke with venom dripping from his words when Isabella merely gazed at him without any reaction.
“Should I knock down this creature who rose to power on demonic strength and flaunt it?”
In that moment, Isabella’s dark green eyes widened dramatically. The instant Daimon saw what appeared to be shock on her face, satisfaction flickered across his own.
Then she began to laugh, doubling over with the motion. The laughter that erupted from deep within her lungs refused to stop, and Daimon’s satisfaction curdled into unease.
“What’s wrong all of a sudden, Isabella? Did fear drive you mad?”
“No. I’ve just understood it properly.”
“Understood what?”
“That this is a transaction.”
Daimon tilted his head as if she’d stated the obvious.
“All marriages are transactions. If you’re only realizing that now, the Duke taught you poorly. What, so this is why you’ve been making such a fuss?”
“It’s fortunate I understand it now, at least.”
With those words, Isabella withdrew documents from her bosom and laid them before Daimon.
“Very well. I accept your proposal, Your Highness. However, there are conditions.”
“What conditions?”
“If this is a transaction, it must be made explicit.”
At Isabella’s words, Daimon let out a hollow laugh.
As he examined the documents, no displeasure could be found in his expression. In fact, Daimon found her proposals quite reasonable. He chuckled and recited the first clause written at the top.
“The betrothal period shall be maintained for no less than three months.”
“Externally, we can claim a long courtship period, but that doesn’t mean we actually had one. This is the minimum time needed for preparation.”
“Fair enough. We’ll need that anyway to prepare the ceremony. ‘No objections to matters involving the Duke after the betrothal’—isn’t this too vague?”
“If you wish it stated more specifically, then provide me with the relevant information.”
“Information?”
“As you know, I’m not involved, so I have nothing to know.”
Daimon looked at Isabella across the documents. She did not avert her gaze.
“There may be issues beyond the Imperial Treasury that I haven’t yet grasped, don’t you think?”
“Your trust in your father is questionable at best.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
At Isabella’s pointed remark about his own strained relations with the Emperor, Daimon burst into genuine laughter.
“Fine. I’ll add a few things.”
Isabella waited until Daimon’s hand stilled, then asked.
“May I add something as well?”
“Haven’t you already written down everything you want?”
Isabella smiled and gently took the pen from Daimon’s hand. He had added exactly as many clauses as she had written.
The first dance at the reception must be danced together? Why on earth would he add such a condition?
Frowning slightly, Isabella added one more clause beneath it.
[One. No harm shall come to Richard Winston.]
This was the most crucial clause in the contract. Isabella deliberately wrote it where Daimon could see.
Isabella turned the contract and showed it to Daimon. His lips twisted.
“And you still claim you have no feelings for him?”
“Since our marriage is merely a transaction, does my heart matter? Or does Your Highness intend to include hearts in your transactions?”
Isabella tilted her head with an expression of innocent sincerity.
“I’m afraid, then, that this contract cannot be concluded. I do not sell my heart.”
“Ha!”
Daimon let out a savage laugh and promptly snatched the pen from Isabella. The letters he scratched across the contract were so violent they looked ready to tear through the paper itself.
[The above clause becomes null and void if Richard Winston becomes an obstacle to Daimon Filliard’s ascension to the Imperial Throne.]
Isabella glared at Daimon. He shrugged as if to say what else could you do—and she understood this was the maximum compromise he would offer. No matter how much he coveted House of Belua, the Imperial Throne came first. Isabella took the pen back.
[However, Daimon Filliard must give advance notice to Isabella of House of Belua before taking any action against Richard Winston. This is mandatory, and any violation of this clause renders the above contract void.]
Daimon’s eyes bored into the words on the paper. Isabella, arms folded across her chest, jerked her chin at him. If he refused, she was prepared to tear the contract to shreds on the spot.
“Fine.”
Whether he read her intention or not, Daimon ground his teeth and scrawled his signature at the bottom. Uncertain whether she should feel relief or disappointment, Isabella stared quietly at the contract now turned toward her, then looked up.
“Before I sign, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
“?”
“Did you know my father was embezzling from the Imperial Treasury, and if so, why didn’t you stop him?”
Daimon laughed as though he’d heard something entertaining. He leaned closer to the table. His knee bumped against the edge but he paid no mind.
Propping himself up with one arm while extending the other, the Crown Prince seized Isabella’s golden hair and laughed softly.
“I acquired the Duke of House of Belua for small change.”
“The sum was hardly small.”
Daimon shrugged.
“It’s still pocket change compared to House of Belua.”
The previous Duke of Belua had siphoned off an amount equal to six-tenths of the Imperial Treasury over the past five years. That was precisely why Isabella was confident Daimon didn’t know about it.
It wasn’t the kind of sum he could overlook while pretending blindness. If he had turned a blind eye, there could be only one reason.
Pocket change compared to the value of House of Belua? Isabella didn’t see it that way. Daimon had no choice but to acquiesce. He was complicit in this affair himself.
Daimon watched Isabella smile meaningfully, then narrowed his brow slightly.
“Well, the money doesn’t matter much. What I’d like to know is why you suddenly changed your mind.”
“Since it’s a marriage that must happen anyway, I thought there was no need to invite His Majesty’s displeasure and put the House at risk.”
Daimon’s eyes narrowed as if measuring the truth of her words. She did not avoid his gaze.
“An heir to succeed House of Belua is necessary, after all.”
At those words, spoken with feigned indifference, suspicion finally lifted from Daimon’s face. A satisfied smile played at his lips.
Daimon pressed his lips lightly to Isabella’s cheek — the same gesture he had made several times before to deceive the eyes of others.
The kiss was as light as a feather, barely touching before withdrawing, yet Isabella had to steel herself not to frown. Fortunately, Daimon did not notice.
“For that, we’ll need two. Our children will be perfect, Bella. The firstborn will become Emperor, and the second will become Duke of Belua.”
“Perhaps. Provided His Majesty hasn’t any children yet.”
For a moment, Daimon’s expression went blank as if he didn’t understand her words. Then he burst into laughter.
“Hah-ha! Ha-ha-ha! Oh, that’s—ha-ha-ha-ha!”
After his hearty laughter subsided, Daimon added a single line to the contract.
With that assurance that he had no children of his own blood, the two divided the contract between them, each taking a copy.
Isabella glanced through the contract without particular emotion.
“What? Do you have more demands?”
“No. It’s perfect. Though, where is the betrothal gift?”
“You hope to receive a ring?”
“Rings are something I have plenty of. How about easing your intended bride’s burden instead?”
Daimon’s eyes narrowed. His gaze held the question of what scheme this was, and Isabella laughed. Her deep green eyes narrowed in an instant.
“Between the betrothal, wedding preparations, and hosting the Hunting Festival, one body simply isn’t enough.”
“Ah.”
Daimon chuckled. He immediately grasped what Isabella wanted.
“Hmm. Well, I could ask His Majesty.”
“I would prefer not to trouble His Majesty with such a trivial social affair.”
“Come now, Bella. I want to help you too. But this will be the first Hunting Festival I host as House of Belua, and perhaps the last — I’d hate to give that up.”
Isabella’s smile deepened. Daimon smiled back, following her lead.
“I’ll handle the wedding preparations. You focus on the Hunting Festival.”
“……Thank you.”
“For my beloved intended bride, of course.”
With those words, Daimon bowed and pressed his lips to Isabella’s cheek.
The moment the betrothal contract came into force.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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